Vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus

ABSTRACT

A vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus for allowing vertical hydroponic greenhouse crop production is provided. The apparatus comprises a hollow grow tube having a front face, a back face, an open first end, and an open second end. A slot is formed in the front face of the grow tube with the slot having a width equal to only a portion of a width of the front face. A media material is insertable into the grow tube. The slot allows the front face to expand outward during insertion of the media material and biased inward against the media material once the media material is inserted. The grow tube is positionable in either a horizontal position, vertical position, or any position between the horizontal position and the vertical position allowing inclined, multi-angled crop production and multi-storied conveyor style crop production.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 15/098,744, filed on Apr. 14, 2016, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 9,380,751, issued on Jul. 5, 2016,which is a continuation in part of U.S. Pat. No. 8,327,582, issued Dec.11, 2012, which claims benefit of priority of provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/273,317, filed on Aug. 3, 2009, entitled“Vertical Hydroponic Plant Production Apparatus”. U.S. application Ser.No. 15/098,744, filed on Apr. 14, 2016, is also a continuation-in-partof U.S. Pat. No. 9,491,915, issued on Nov. 15, 2016, which is acontinuation in part of U.S. Pat. No. 8,327,582, issued Dec. 11, 2012,which claims benefit of priority of provisional patent application Ser.No. 61/273,317, filed on Aug. 3, 2009, entitled “Vertical HydroponicPlant Production Apparatus”, the entire contents of these applicationsare herein incorporated by reference for all they teach and disclose.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to a vertical hydroponic plantproduction apparatus and, more particularly, the invention relates to avertical hydroponic plant production apparatus allowing for verticalhydroponic greenhouse crop production in a fraction of the spacenecessary for traditional plant production techniques and allowingutilization of vertical surfaces for plant production.

Traditional hydroponics has focused primarily on horizontal productiontechniques and has been subject to major space constraints. Verticalhydroponic applications have either been impractical, expensive tooperate, or inefficient. Often these applications utilize some type ofgrowth medium that is heavy when saturated, causing clogging when filledwith plant roots, and/or requiring a great deal of maintenance. Inaddition, conventional technology makes it difficult to allow in-storedisplay of live, growing vegetables and is not conducive to “you-pick”vegetable and herb sales to customers. Little technology exists thatallows vertical plant displays that are highly scalable.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a vertical hydroponic plant productionapparatus for allowing vertical hydroponic greenhouse crop production.The apparatus comprises a hollow grow tube having a front face, a backface, an open first end, and an open second end, wherein the grow tubehas a shape selected from the group consisting of substantially square,rectangular, round, oval, octagon, pentagon and triangular. A slot isformed in the front face of the grow tube with the slot having a widthequal to only a portion of a width of the front face. A media materialis insertable into the grow tube. The slot allows the front face toexpand outward during insertion of the media material and biased inwardagainst the media material once the media material is inserted. The growtube is positionable in either a horizontal position, vertical position,or any position between the horizontal position and the verticalposition allowing inclined, multi-angled crop production andmulti-storied conveyor style crop production.

In addition, the present invention includes a method for allowingvertical hydroponic greenhouse crop production. The method comprisesproviding a hollow grow tube having a front face, a back face, a firstend, and a second end, wherein the grow tube has a shape selected fromthe group consisting of substantially square, rectangular, round, oval,octagon, pentagon and triangular, forming a slot in the front face ofthe grow tube with the slot having a width equal to only a portion of awidth of the front face, inserting a media material into the grow tube,expanding the front face outward during insertion, biasing the frontface inward against the media material, and positioning the grow tube ineither a horizontal position, vertical position, or any position betweenthe horizontal position and the vertical position allowing inclined,multi-angled crop production and multi-storied conveyor style cropproduction.

The present invention further includes a vertical hydroponic plantproduction apparatus for allowing vertical hydroponic greenhouse cropproduction. The apparatus comprises a hollow grow tube having a frontface, a back face, a first end, and a second end, wherein the grow tubehas a shape selected from the group consisting of substantially square,rectangular, round, oval, octagon, pentagon and triangular. A slot isformed in the front face of the grow tube with the slot having a widthequal to only a portion of a width of the front face. A media materialis insertable into the grow tube with the media material being composedof two halves of material split down the middle with a bolt spanning thewidth of the two halves for joining the two halves. A pulling hook isprovided having a flat portion for grasping the bolt for inserting andremoving the media material from the grow tube. An “H” bracket having areceiving portion and an anchoring portion, the “H” bracket is mountedto the rear face of the grow tube. A “Z” bracket having a vertical,upward facing tongue portion receivable within the receiving portion ofthe “H” bracket is provided with the “Z” bracket mounted in apredetermined location. An aperture is formed in the “Z” bracket forreceiving a fastening mechanism. The grow tube is positionable in eithera horizontal position, vertical position, or any position between thehorizontal position and the vertical position allowing inclined,multi-angled crop production and multi-storied conveyor style cropproduction. The slot allows the front face to expand outward duringinsertion of the media material and biased inward against the mediamaterial once the media material is inserted. As weight is applied tothe tongue portion of the “Z” bracket through the placement of a growtube, downward torque is applied across the “Z” bracket causing a clutchaction to affix the “Z” bracket tightly to the predetermined location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a grow tube of avertical hydroponic plant production apparatus, constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view illustrating the grow tube of thevertical hydroponic plant production apparatus of FIG. 1, constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view illustrating another embodiment ofthe grow tube of the vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus,constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view illustrating the grow tube of thevertical hydroponic plant production apparatus of FIG. 3, constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view illustrating a media column of thevertical hydroponic plant production apparatus, constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view illustrating the media column of thevertical hydroponic plant production apparatus of FIG. 5, constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a Z bracket of the verticalhydroponic plant production apparatus, constructed in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a pulling hook of the verticalhydroponic plant production apparatus, constructed in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the vertical hydroponic plantproduction apparatus, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, with the slot formed to a point below the first end of thegrow tube;

FIGS. 10-12 is a perspective view illustrating the vertical hydroponicplant production apparatus, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, with the media material being composed of two halves ofmaterial split down the middle with a bolt spanning the width of the twohalves;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the vertical hydroponic plantproduction apparatus, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, with the media material having a thickness substantially halfan internal width/diameter of the grow tube such that the media materialis folded in the middle so that the thickness both halves togetherroughly equal the inside dimensions of the grow tube;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the vertical hydroponic plantproduction apparatus, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, with a cap and tubing extending through the cap;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the vertical hydroponic plantproduction apparatus, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, with a nutrient solution reservoir; and

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating the vertical hydroponic plantproduction apparatus, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, with a pump.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view illustrating a round grow tube of avertical hydroponic plant production apparatus, constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-17, the present invention is a verticalhydroponic plant production apparatus, indicated generally at 10,allowing vertical hydroponic greenhouse crop production in a fraction ofthe space necessary for traditional plant production techniques andallows utilization of vertical surfaces for plant production.

The vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus 10 of the presentinvention includes a grow tube 12 useable in a horizontal position,vertical position, or any position between the horizontal position andthe vertical position. The grow tube 12 is highly portable, being light,making it easy to move the grow tube 12 from area to area fortransplant, grow out, and harvest. The grow tube 12 further allowsinclined, multi-angled crop production and multi-storied conveyor stylecrop production. The grow tube 12 of the vertical hydroponic plantproduction apparatus 10 of the present invention also functions asaquacultural biofiltration/nutrient stripping devices for plant-based,high-efficiency waste nutrient removal and as sites nitrificationprocesses, having massive surface area/volume thereby reducing the costsof single pass aquaculture and improving the efficiency of recirculatingaquaculture.

The grow tube or tower 12 of the vertical hydroponic plant productionapparatus 10 of the present invention also functions as in-store or atmarket display devices allowing the display of fresh, live produce foryou-pick vegetable sales at market places and allowing the sale ofproduce that is more fresh than traditionally harvested vegetableproducts. Designed for easy affixation to the walls and/or roofs ofbuildings, the grow tube 12 reduces heating and cooling costs throughshading and plant evapotranspiration and performs a decorative function.The grow tube 12 applied in such a manner can also reduce rooftop andhard surface water runoff depending on application and plumbing system.

Basically, the vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus 10 of thepresent invention allows for decorative landscape designs as well asvertical plant production displays indoors for a variety of purposes.The grow tubes or towers 12 can house aromatic and decorative species ofherbs that may be used for aromatherapy type interactive hallways, lobbydisplays, kitchen, and cafeteria displays as well as common industrialplant displays in offices and workspaces.

The grow tube 12 of the vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus10 of the present invention has a first end 14 and a second end 16 andis preferably a square, rectangular, round, oval, octagon, pentagon,triangular, or angular tubing containing a non-woven matrix media 18composed of any number of plastic materials, suspended vertically fromthe ceiling, supported by a framework, and/or standing upright on thefloor using a support pole or frame. Preferably, the grow tube 12 isconstructed of a PVC plastic material with side walls having a width ofapproximately four (4″) inches to six (6″) inches although constructingthe grow tube from a different material with different widths is withinthe scope of the present invention.

The grow tube 12 of the vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus10 of the present invention has a slot 20 formed lengthwise through thegrow tube 12. The slot 20 can be formed along the entire face of thegrow tube 12 from the first end 14 to the second end 16 or the slot 20can be formed to a point approximately four (4″) inches to approximatelysix (6″) inches from the first end 14 of the grow tube 12. In the caseof the slot 20 formed along the entire face of the grow tube 12, theslot 20 can have angled portions 22 at the first end 14 of the grow tube12 allowing for easy insertion and removal of the media, as will bedescribed further below. Preferably, the slot 20 has a width ofapproximately one-half (½″) inch to approximately one and one-half (1½″)inches although constructing the slot 20 with different widths is withinthe scope of the present invention.

A variety of media material may be used with the system of the presentdisclosure. Examples of media that may be used in the system of thepresent disclosure may include but is not limited to, a fibrous,non-woven matrix media material, smaller media around plugs or pottedplants, Styrofoam, polyurethane foam, plastic mesh, rock wool, coconutfiber, vermiculite, as well as organic soil such as potting soil.

As mentioned briefly above, the vertical hydroponic plant productionapparatus 10 of the present invention has a media material 18 preferablyconstructed from a polyester matrix material approximately two (2″)inches thick, cut to the internal width/diameter of the grow tube, andfolded in the middle so that both halves together roughly equal theinside dimensions of the grow tube or tower housing 12. The mediamaterial 18 can also be composed of two halves of approximately two (2″)inch thick media or one piece of four (4″) inch thick media split downthe middle to within approximately four (4″) inches to approximately six(6″) inches of the top of the media material where a bolt spans itswidth. In the bolt embodiment of the present invention, this bolt notonly spans the width of the media insert 18, joining the two halves,and/or lending structural integrity to the media insert, but alsoanchors a handle or receiver to the media 18, allowing either the handleto be grasped for the purposes of inserting and removing the media 18insert from the grow tube 12, or allowing a forked or hooked handle tobe inserted into the receiver for the same purpose.

In the embodiment of the vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus10 of the present invention where the media material 18 is folded inhalf, a pulling hook 24 with a flat hook 26 attached to a handle 28allows the media inserts 18 to be pulled into and out of the grow tube12, with the pulling hook handle 28 extending from the slot 20 in thegrow tube 12. The hook 24 preferably consists of a piece of round barmetal bent to form a broad, flat, “L” shaped hook, roughly the width ofthe folded media 18 with a handle 28 affixed to the end. The hook 26 canalso be attached to a pneumatic or hydraulic device that allowsautomated “pulling” of the media inserts 18.

For planting, seedlings are placed between the two halves of media 18 ofthe vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus 10 of the presentinvention, with the upper portions out, and are “zipped” into the growtubes 12 with the upper portions of the plant protruding through the gapin the tower housing 12. The top of the grow tube 12 can be capped witha removable cap having holes of variable sizes drilled in the center, ormay not be capped at all. If capped, a mister or irrigation tubing isinserted through the hole in the cap hole. The bottom of the grow tube12 is either submerged in nutrient solution, rests in a drain or troughfor recirculating nutrient solution, or fits into a lower pipe. A pumpmoves nutrient solution from a nutrient solution reservoir to the misteror irrigation pipe at the top of the grow tube 12, where the nutrientsolution is emitted and allowed to drip down through the media 18 andplant roots. Some of the nutrient solution trickles down the walls ofthe pipe 12 and is captured by roots in contact with the pipe wall.Excess nutrient solution drains to the bottom of the pipe 12 where it isdrained back to the nutrient solution reservoir. High humidity ismaintained within the grow tube due to the constant trickling/misting ofnutrient solution. The height of the plant grow tube 12 is variabledependent on greenhouse height, and the spacing for plants is variabledependent on plant type and desired spacing. It is possible to stackgrow tubes 12 on top of each other to vary height, by fitting thebottoms of the grow tubes 12 with coupling caps, to utilize conveyorproduction techniques.

The grow tubes 12 of the vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus10 of the present invention can be fixed in place using hangers, rope,or strap and metal hooks that loop over a support beam or bracket andsecure to the grow tube 12 or tower through holes 30 drilled at thefirst end of the grow tube 12. The holes 30 can be of variable size andplacement depending on application, although in the most commonembodiment, there are four holes 30, one pair centered on either side ofthe housing upper, and one pair forward (towards the front of the growtube 12) of the centered pair allowing slight inclination of the hangingtower 12 if inclined growing is desired. The grow tubes 12 can also befixed in place using a series of holes or a gap cut in the grow tube 12allowing the grow tube to be fixed to a pole having a bracket orpressure or spring action hanging system attached to it. The grow tube12 can also be inclined on said pole or hanging system for the purposeof inclined production.

The grow tube 12 of the vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus10 of the present invention can also be secured to a support poleutilizing a system of metal brackets whereas one bracket type is femaleand is designated as an “H” bracket 32 and the other bracket type ismale and is designated as a “Z” bracket 34. The female “H” bracket 32has a receiving portion and an anchoring portion to bolt to the back orside of the tower 12. The male “Z” bracket 34 consists of a vertical,upward facing tongue portion that fits into the receiving portion of thefemale bracket 32, and has a hole 36 through the middle, angled portionof the bracket 34 which fits over a support pole. The rear, downwardfacing vertical portion of the bracket 34 has a hole 38 drilled midwayacross the bottom of the bracket 34 and is threaded to receive a bolt.As weight is applied to the tongue portion of the bracket 34 through theplacement of a bracketed tower, downward torque is applied across the“Z” bracket 34 causing a clutch action to affix the bracket tightly tothe support pole. The torque attachment of this “Z” bracket 34 can beenhanced by tightening the bolt threaded into the rear of the bracket 34against the support pole, applying even more pressure for bracketattachment.

In another embodiment, either the “Z” bracket 34 or the “H” bracket maybe replaced with a vertical bar. The tower 12 is mounted to a verticalbar by means of the H bracket. This mode of action can be accomplishedwith a H bracket attached to a tower allowing the tower to slide down apole, or with an H bracket (or variation on the basic form of the Hbracket) attached to the back of the tower that allows it to slide ontoa vertical bar to be mounted. H and Z brackets but using just a single ebracket attached to the back of the tower in a way that allows the towerto slide onto a bar or pole to be mounted and allows one tower to bemounted above another.

The media insert 18 of the vertical hydroponic plant productionapparatus 10 of the present invention can also be altered in severalways to serve a diverse range of functions. The media 18 can be cut at ataper from the unfastened or unfolded end to the fastened or folded end,reserving a tapered space at the rear of the insert to allow compost,alternate plant media, fertilizing substance or some type of soilamendment or additive to be held in the space between the tapered mediainsert and the rear and sidewalls of the tower housing 12. Thisalteration allows compost based hydroponic plant production usingregular irrigation water, with plant nutrients supplied by the compostor other additive. Tops, sides, and corners of the media insert 18 canalso be cut, rounded, or cut at an angle to reduce biosolidsaccumulation, algal growth, or to enhance water distribution through themedia 18, depending on application. Multiple inserts 18 can also be usedin towers 12 allowing multiple age groups of plants to incorporated intoeach grow tube 12. Worms are also commonly integrated into the growtubes 12 and the media is designed to have the correct mesh size toaccommodate their movement through the media 18, although media 18 witha smaller or larger mesh size may be used depending on application.

The vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus 10 of the presentinvention is comparatively lightweight, inexpensive to manufacture(being based on common PVC extrusion techniques) and existingpolyethylene matrix material production, will not clog with nutrientsolution, and requires much less labor to operate. The present inventioncan also be converted to more traditional horizontal productiontechniques if desired, eliminating the risk inherent in changingproduction techniques for commercial producers.

In addition, traditional nitrogen and phosphorus removal techniques inaquaculture are very poor compared to removal using plant uptake forphytoremediation. Plants are able to remove N and P to levels an orderof magnitude lower than any mechanical/chemical/microbial techniquecurrently in use. The present invention phytoremediates water allowingfor prolonged water use/recirculation and water conservation.

The vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus 10 of the presentinvention is an improvement on traditional harvesting and sales modelswhere production systems are physically removed from the sales systemsand shipping and handling results in a large percentage of producerlosses, both financially as wasted or expired produce. By selling liveplants, there is no spoilage and shipping and handling is done partiallyby producers moving towers to market places, but primarily by consumerswho are interested in fresh produce and the experience of picking andharvesting vegetables, herbs and greens for their own use. The growtubes are easily transported and easy to stack, lift, and slide ontoshelves. They essentially operate as a packaging system as well as aplant production system. Further, by utilizing individual towers,landscape designers and home users can scale their display or productionsystem exactly to their specifications.

The vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus 10 of the presentinvention reduces necessary growing space tremendously. Typicalreductions in growing space utilizing a vertical aeroponic techniquehave varied between 60% and 85% compared to conventional growth methods.Greenhouse growing space is very expensive, so the ability to increasecrop size without increasing greenhouse space could prove veryprofitable. The present invention is also very affordable tomanufacture, building on existing PVC pipe production infrastructure.Implementation of the present invention will also be simple, building oncurrent hydroponic production technology.

The increased water recirculation time achieved with the verticalhydroponic plant production apparatus 10 of the present invention caneliminate one of the high costs and reduce the negative environmentaleffects of aquaculture, resulting in increased profits and a betterindustry image for aquacultural producers. Using the present inventioncan also allow aquacultural producers to diversify their product baseand/or grow supplementary feed products (depending on the dietary needsof the fish).

The vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus 10 of the presentinvention has the potential to open up an entirely new system ofproduction, transportation, shipping, handling, and display to vegetableproducers, retailers, and consumers. This can result in fresher produce,a more pleasant customer shopping experience, reduced waste, reducedhandling and packaging costs, fewer food miles, less plastic andpackaging material consumption, and longer shelf life of purchasedproduce.

The vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus 10 of the presentinvention can be used by industrial institutions for phytoremediation ofwaste waters, using the towers as trickling, plant integrated filtersfor the removal of waste materials, and the remediation of waste watersfor discharge.

The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferredembodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawingsand described in detail, with varying modifications and alternativeembodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown,described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled inthe art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made thereinwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, andthat the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to theclaims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention asdisclosed herein may be suitably practiced in the absence of thespecific elements, which are disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vertical hydroponic plant production apparatusfor allowing vertical hydroponic greenhouse crop production, theapparatus comprising: a hollow grow tube having a front face, a backface, an open first end, and an open second end and wherein said hollowgrow tube has an internal width; wherein each grow tube has a lengthbetween the first end and the open second end and the front face has awidth, and wherein the length of each grow tube is larger than the widthof the front face; a slot formed in the front face of the grow tube,wherein said slot is formed along the entire length of said front faceof each grow tube from the first end to the second end or to a pointapproximately four (4″) inches to approximately six (6″) inches from thefirst end of each grow tube; a media material having a thicknesssubstantially half the internal width of the grow tube, wherein themedia material is capable of being posited into two equal lengths sothat the thickness of both halves of said media material areapproximately equal to the internal width of the grow tube; wherein saidgrow tube is adapted to receive said media material, and wherein saidmedia material is supported by the faces of the grow tube; and whereinthe grow tube is positionable in a vertical position or semi verticalposition; wherein said grow tube is configured to allow plants to beinserted into the media material and grown through said slot; andwherein the grow tube has a shape selected from substantially square,rectangular, round, oval, octagon, pentagon and triangular.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said media material is chosen from afibrous, non-woven media material, Styrofoam, polyurethane foam, andplastic mesh.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the slot is formedalong the entire front face of the grow tube from the first end to thesecond end.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the slot has angledportions at the first end of the grow tube.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the slot is formed from the second end to a point short of thefirst end.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: anutrient solution reservoir, the second end of the grow tube beingsubmerged in the reservoir; tubing; and a pump for pumping nutrientsolution from the reservoir into the grow tube through the tubing. 7.The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: holes formed in sidesof the grow tube to hang the grow tube in a desired position from anoverhead bar or beam with a flexible line and wire hooks, or to allowthe grow tube/tower to be mounted on an upright support post.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: a “H” bracket having areceiving portion and an anchoring portion, the “H” bracket mounted tothe back face of the grow tube; a “Z” bracket having a vertical, upwardfacing tongue portion receivable within the receiving portion of the “H”bracket, the “Z” bracket mounted in a predetermined location; and anaperture formed in the “Z” bracket for receiving a fastening mechanism;wherein as weight is applied to the tongue portion of the “Z” bracketthrough the placement of the grow tube, downward torque is appliedacross the “Z” bracket causing a clutch action to affix the “Z” brackettightly to the predetermined location.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the slot has a width between 1/12 to ¾ the width of the face ofthe grow tube.
 10. A method for allowing vertical hydroponic greenhousecrop production, the method comprising: providing a hollow grow tubehaving a front face, a back face, a first end, and a second end andwherein said hollow grow tube has an internal width, wherein the growtube has a shape selected from substantially square, rectangular, round,oval, octagon, pentagon and triangular; wherein each grow tube has alength between the first end and the second end and the front face has awidth, and wherein the length of each grow tube is larger than the widthof the front face; forming a slot in the front face of the grow tube,wherein said slot is formed along the entire length of said front faceof each grow tube from the first end to the second end or to a pointapproximately four (4″) inches to approximately six (6″) inches from thefirst end of each grow tube; providing a media material having athickness substantially half the internal width of the grow tube,wherein the media material is capable of being posited into two equallengths so that the thickness of both halves of said media material areapproximately equal to the internal width of the grow tube and whereinthe media material is capable of receiving one or more plants into saidmedia material and capable of allowing one or more plants to root andgrow in said media material; wherein said grow tube is adapted toreceive said media material, and wherein said media material issupported by the faces of the grow tube; and wherein the grow tube ispositioned in a vertical position or semi vertical position.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein said media material is chosen from afibrous, non-woven media material, Styrofoam, polyurethane foam, andplastic mesh.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the slot is formedalong the entire front face of the grow tube from the first end to thesecond end.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the slot has angledportions at the first end of the grow tube.
 14. The method of claim 10wherein the slot is formed from the second end to a point short of thefirst end.
 15. The method of claim 10 and further comprising: providinga nutrient solution reservoir and positioning the second end of the growtube so that said second end is submerged in the reservoir; providingtubing; and providing a pump, wherein said pump circulates nutrientsolutions from the reservoir into the grow tube through the tubing. 16.The method of claim 10 and further comprising: providing holes formed insides of the grow tube, wherein said holes form in the side of the growtube allow said grow tube to hang in a desired position from an overheadbar or beam with a flexible line and wire hooks, or to allow the growtube/tower to be mounted on an upright support post.
 17. The method ofclaim 10 and further comprising: providing a “H” bracket having areceiving portion and an anchoring portion; wherein said “H” bracket ismounted to the rear face of the grow tube; providing a “Z” brackethaving a vertical, upward facing tongue portion receivable within thereceiving portion of the “H” bracket, the “Z” bracket mounted in apredetermined location; and providing an aperture formed in the “Z”bracket for receiving a fastening mechanism; wherein as weight isapplied to the tongue portion of the “Z” bracket through the placementof the grow tube, downward torque is applied across the “Z” bracketcausing a clutch action to affix the “Z” bracket tightly to thepredetermined location.
 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the slot hasa width between 1/12 to ¾ the width of the face of the grow tube.